[nmn.070]

Originally Posted by rev8

Could you also please shed some insights on why the recommended order? It would help plan better on my part. Thanks!

First the GLC because it is the most probable pick for your requirements.

Second XC60 because it's a slightly different flavour that still fulfils your requirement at a lower price. If GLC bowls you over then you can stop there. No need to try the different flavour and add confusion.

Going back to GLC or XC60 will be difficult after trying the next ones so you move ahead only if you want to increase your budget and aren't remotely satisfied this far.

Third Macan since it will definitely find a connection. It's the right size, peppy enough and the interior quality is unmatched.

Lastly the X5 because the engine is the best one and the space is going to spoil you. Once again it will be difficult to step down once your family or you like this. And it is the most expensive offering. After driving this, the lesser cars will feel, well, lesser.

Side note on the X3 - try it if you must but with the new gen X3 already being revealed, it will appear very outdated very soon. The only thing going for it is the engine which isn't your primary focal point. Interior quality is not match with any of the others while you still pay a premium for this.

[rev8]

Originally Posted by OffRoadFun

I recently test drove GLC 300 and was in love with it. For the same budget, it's interiors are class apart (from say X3 or Q5 which I own).

Thank you for the feedback! Owners can differentiate the best between these cars, and if gives me more confidence about the Merc.

Originally Posted by OffRoadFun

X5/GLE are nowhere close to 1Cr at least in BLR and are a big in my opinion.

I agree but as noted in my post, I'm going for a BH registration which will rule out the Karnataka road tax issue. Also, while the X5 might not fully sit in the budget despite this, I'm hopeful for some festival or year end discounts.
I'm okay to stretch a little if it blows me over and justifies the ~30 lacs premium over the GLC.

Also agreed that it might turn out to be too big. I've seen it from the outside and it looked too big but I guess only a drive can clear the clouds.

[Livnletcarsliv]

Well congratulations on your first luxury car and its really a huge jump directly into the premium/luxury segment.

Even though I am not in this segment of purchase nor owned any in this segment, if I were in your shoes, this is what I think, in no particular order.

1. Even though I have a budget of 1cr, I will limit my actual spending to as low as possible. Say about 70L-80L max, because since this is my first experience in this segment and I don't have financial/rich legacy, I would take small steps first to experience the luxury and then upgrade.

2. For lot of long drives and sometimes bad roads as well, these things are very important - Suspension (I don't want a stiff suspension - neither I want it to be too soft), tyres (I definitely don't want low profile tyres or run flat tyres), reliability (should be highly reliable), should be comfortable and spacious for atleast 5 + luggage.

3. I will not choose niche brands to start with. Eg - porsche is not a brand to take it anywhere (in India) with free mind. I would stick to mass market luxury brands only. So it is Merc, BMW, Audi, Volvo, Lexus, JLR.

4. Hybrid options in this price segment are almost nonexistent except for few like Lexus, etc.

5. I will never choose the sporty version of any car because of this obvious shortcomings - low GC, stiff suspension and low profile tyres. Read X3 M40i.

6. There is no all in one package in any segment even if the budget is 10cr. There is always a compromise something or the other. It depends on what you are ready to compromise and what is MUST have.

7. Most of the cars and brands will fulfil your must have list with the explanations you've given.

8 Try to squeeze as much discounts as possible from everywhere. Seal in as much warranty as possible. I reserve my comments on the maintenance costs as I don't have experience in this.

So from your list of cars I would ignore/skip - Porsche, JLR, Skoda, Hyundai, Jeep, Mini. The only brands to consider - BMW, Merc, Volvo, Lexus, Audi. Further to narrow down are X3 (only available in diesel), Q5, XC60, Lexus NX, GLC. Period. Now the models X5, Lexus RX, Q7, XC90, GLE, are too big (for first time self-driving luxury experience) and exceeds the budget (even after squeezing as much discounts as possible) significantly. Unfortunately, in India the number of models/brands offered are limited - we poorly treated Indians.

All in all, my luxury experience should be a happy, memorable and forward looking one and not a last and never go into luxury again experience. So choose wisely (commenting this from my own experience and my learnings).
So I guess, your only choices are - Q5, XC60, Lexus NX, GLC. You cannot go wrong with any of these. Do the TD and choose your heart.

Congratulations and best wishes again!

[Duster85]

I would suggest you to look for a used panamera as well since you want to own a Porsche.

[84.monsoon]

The next gen X3 has gone on sale in markets like the UK and BMW has generally been good about getting their newest models to India fast. The new 5 series launched globally late last year and you could book the i5 here since April itself. My guess is, BMW will launch the new X3 here before the festive season, or least by year-end. They have a big hole in their line-up when it comes to this segment, with the current X3 in its last leg. The main competitor, Mercedes, is offering a very strong product in the market - the GLC - which is very fresh, having been launched only last year.

The new X3 has has got rave reviews gloablly and will be not only luxurious but also fun to drive. It might be worth waiting a few months to have a side-by-side comparison with the GLC. With BH registration, you may even be able to get the X3 M50 around Rs. 1 Cr. Imagine 400 HP and 580 NM torque coming from that landmark B58 engine!

Another thought (although you did say you did not want an electric car) is to consider the Q6 eTron. A very impressive vehicle with a large battery (100 KWHr) and a 500 km range.

[Sohail_91]

You might also consider the Audi Q7. I found its ride quality to be superior to the BMW X5, although its performance is adequate but not quite on par with the X5.
However, with the discounts Audi is offering, the Q7 Technology variant should fit comfortably within 1Cr. For the X5, opting for the xDrive40i M Sport version will significantly increase your budget.

On a side note, in Karnataka, BH registration is currently not being processed for private sector employees, even if all the required conditions are met.

All the best!

[rev8]

Originally Posted by Livnletcarsliv

All in all, my luxury experience should be a happy, memorable and forward looking one and not a last and never go into luxury again experience.

Wise words right there!

Originally Posted by Duster85

I would suggest you to look for a used panamera as well since you want to own a Porsche.

I did not find any listings south of 1cr for the Panamera. If you have any leads, please do share as I would certainly consider it seriously.

Originally Posted by Sohail_91

On a side note, in Karnataka, BH registration is currently not being processed for private sector employees, even if all the required conditions are met.
All the best!

Yes, I plan to buy from Gurgaon, where supposedly 1% TCS is also waived for mild hybrids, and then self-drive to Bangalore.

[Livnletcarsliv]

Originally Posted by rev8

I did not find any listings south of 1cr for the Panamera. If you have any leads, please do share as I would certainly consider it seriously.

Seriously, Panamera for long drives and bad roads? And that too for 1cr? And that too a used Porsche for first time luxury experience? Run away.

[rev8]

Originally Posted by Livnletcarsliv

Seriously, Panamera for long drives and bad roads? And that too for 1cr? And that too a used Porsche for first time luxury experience? Run away.

Haha I wish our brains were adept at handling being starstruck.

[TheVDR]

Originally Posted by rev8

Here are some questions I still have:[list=1][*]This is obviously a What Car? thread, so the primary question - Did I miss something that should have been on my radar?[*]If you were in my position, what would you have chosen?[*]Does anyone have any information about the GLC’s AMG line trim coming to India? Or, do you have any connections who can help out with this information?[*]Any suggestions for the order of test drives?[*]Does it make a difference, which dealer I choose to buy from for a BH registration?[*]How reliable are the cars at the top of my list? What are some things to consider for grand touring from a reliability perspective?[*]What should be the recurring expenses that I should expect? Is there any cost-benefit analysis for buying service packs upfront? And how long of an extended warranty should be purchased?[/i]

Great to read your backstory! You and I are probably of the same age (+- a year or two) and I too have been a sedan lover for all my life! Being in contact with enthusiasts gives a lot of opportunity to hear first hand reviews about products across all segments. I'll share what might make sense to you as well -

A net total budget of 1 Cr should be split into 3 parts. (A) Ex-showroom Price... (B) BH Registration Tax, other components of On-road, Service packages, Extended Warranties, Offers, Accessories and whatever we can milk out from the showroom ...(C) A contingency budget for unplanned / unfortunate events. Let's say you want to have a particular accessory installed. Or get PPF done. Or there is some mishap that caused something that is not covered in warranty.

Bengaluru passing with BH and others components would cost nearly 25% of ex-showroom. I strongly believe to take all extended warranties, all service packages and whatever the company offers (obviously, negotiate for it in the sabzi bazaar way). The contingency amount should be kept at 10% ex-showroom. It may feel much, but gives a good peace of mind.

So the breakup becomes:

• 1. Ex-showroom : 74 lakhs
• 2. Everything RTO & Dealer : 25% of 74 lakhs = 18.5 lakhs
• 3. Contingency = 10% of 74 lakhs = 7.4 lakhs

This should narrow down the decision making process and, ideally, eliminate anything above 80 lakh ex-showroom (considering a slight increase in budget is fine). A good, powerful, luxurious, hassle-free, reliable and safe weekend driver with a good amount of badge value (because Bhai ke paas BMW hai is music to ears ). My take would be to go with either M340i or 6GT, whichever suits your taste more. Marks all check boxes, marks our economic analysis as well, BMW has a reasonably good service support and also fetches a good resale value!

Now, onto the other queries -

• GLC AMG : Launching on 8th August
• Order of Test Drives : Shouldn't matter honestly! Its always one car at a time.
• BH registration : Process would be fine with any of the reputed dealers. They anyway outsource the RTO work.
• Reliability : It is safe to say that any car, this expensive, is quite reliable. BMW, Mercedes and Audi have now spent enough time in India to win our trust. Others are sometimes a hit and a miss, especially from the service end
• Recurring Expenses : Expensive Fuel, Quick depletion of tyre rubber, Coatings and Protection (if you are into PPF Ceramics etc.) are additional costs repetitive in nature. Also, take all the extended warranties, service packages and everything else they offer and for the maximum time. It hurts, but only once.

Congratulations, in advance! Keep us posted! We need delivery photos

[rev8]

Originally Posted by TheVDR

Congratulations, in advance! Keep us posted! We need delivery photos

Absolutely! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Originally Posted by TheVDR

Bengaluru passing with BH and others components would cost nearly 25% of ex-showroom.

As I mentioned in another post, I'm planning to purchase from Gurgaon to get BH registration and TCS rebate on mild hybrids. So this factor will not be applicable. Also, contingencies, maintenance etc are not a part of the budget. This budget is only the one time initial cost of getting the car. Recurring expenses are budgeted in the 1-2% annual cost.

Originally Posted by TheVDR

• GLC AMG : Launching on 8th August

You are talking about the AMG. My query was regarding the AMG line trim in the regular GLC. At this time I've heard nothing about it for India but I'm hopeful for the festive season.

[rev8]

Heard about the potential launch of Genesis GV80 in India. I haven't been through it's reviews yet, but on a cursory look, it certainly looks tempting.

If someone has more experience on the matter, could you please share your thoughts on where this would fit in my shortlist? Is it worth considering seriously for my requirements?

[rev8]

Update:
Over the weekend, I test drove XUV 700, Kodiaq and GLC. No particular reason for picking these, just that the showrooms fell on the same route.

XUV 700
Overall, it felt like a solid package for the price, but again I did not really explore this segment deeply. I primarily test drove it to experience the engine which has rave reviews.

• Enjoyed the power delivery
• Sub-par music system. Did not enjoy the performance at all.
• ADAS was a bit nerve wracking for me and I just couldn't trust the car will be able to handle it. It would take me some time to get used to it.
• Had a lag in performance delivery

Kodiaq
The looks of the car in Lava Blue were extremely tempting. It felt much more premium and elegant in comparison to the XUV and there seemed to be an open dialogue for discounts because the model would be getting a refresh next year. For a ~15 lakh premium over the XUV, it felt justified.

• The infotainment looked a bit dated
• 3rd row seemed useless
• Pretty much on par in performance with XUV but did not pull as strongly throughout
• Also had a lag in performance delivery (primarily because of the time it took to downshift)
• The music system was superior in every possible way, loved hearing it.

GLC
Still is the top choice. Loved the experience overall. Also asked about AMG line coming to India but SA mentioned that only GLC Coupe will have it in the near future.

• The performance was superior in every way from the other two. It just kept on pulling no matter the speed.
• The power was also available much quicker, without much lag.
• Burmester audio did not feel like a gamechanger but was still a tad better than Kodiaq's Canton.
• The cabin was less airy than the other two but that's to be expected for GLC's size.
• It was much more nimble and easier to navigate as well.
• Salesperson mentioned that it comes with digital lights but I did not see them on the TD vehicle. Yet to contest him on the fact. Forgot to do it during the TD.
• Yet to try out Distronics as well
• Seat kinetics felt good but using it in the real world will only tell.
• Glovebox seemed to have some cooling, not refrigerator level though, so definitely felt like a plus

Apart from these, I also visited Volvo but discovered that the dealership closed down last month, so need to find another one in Gurgaon now.
Visited Jeep, saw the Grand Cherokee and Grand is a small word for it. Meridian and Compass were only available as diesels, so dropped the plans for TD.
Visited Hyundai for the Tuscon but they were swamped over the weekend. They mentioned they'll bring a TD car home but nobody has reached out since.

Next weekend, I'm planning to visit Porsche, BMW, Audi and Lexus. I'll keep the thread updated.

[rev8]

Update: Went to BMW and Porsche today

6GT and X3M
Both of these are no longer available (at least at Gurgaon dealership)

X5
Dilemma inducing car! Sales experience at BMW was far better than Mercedes.

• The performance was certainly better than all others, but it felt big to drive (as opposed to GLC which felt very nimble)
• Loved the HUD (test drove M Sport, but won't be available in xLine which is what I'll be able to afford)
• Lack of blind spot warning in xLine seems appalling
• The interiors of BMW felt much more luxurious than Benz (even the 3 series felt better than the GLC which came off as plasticy with all those touch sensitive controls)
• The ride was way way better than the GLC in terms of comfort (barely felt anything on the road)
• The space on offer was obviously superior too and so was the seat comfort (loved the headrest cushions)
• Fuel economy seems abysmal but I guess that is to be expected from 6 pots!
• RFTs are concerning

Macan
The experience turned out to be underwhelming, however salesperson was amazing. We were also the only ones in the dealership so got some special treatment.

• Pulls like nothing else, period.
• The steering was too soft in my opinion even in Sport Plus. So far, GLC induced the most confidence in its handling. X5 was a close second, mainly due to its size.
• Seats were firm for long drives and adjustments were also very limited
• Rear seats were very upright and lacked space. I am 6'1" and my legs touched the front seats
• The ride felt better than the GLC though

Overall the lack of features in Macan did not feel worth the price. X5 is a way better package. Porsche probably makes sense in the next segment, so dropping the Macan off the list.
X5 and GLC are real contenders at this point. X5 xLine is coming at a 23L premium over the GLC.

[rev8]

XC60
It was a decent experience in the Volvo but left much to be desired.

• The engine was noisy and did not match the refinement of the Germans.
• The car pulled when the accelerator was mildly pressed but struggled on pedal to the medal. Primarily the gearbox does not slot in the right gear at the right time even though the engine seems to have adequate grunt.
• The seats were nice but were a bit too snug for me. Under thigh support also didn't do much for me. Seat massage was certainly a plus and worked decently. Seat configuration options were certainly one of the best.
• The infotainment system was certainly outdated and had some connection problems. Google Assistant being built-in was handy but I did not like the fact that it was only free for 5 years.
• Music system is one of the best out there, no doubt.
• I loved the blind spot warning in the ORVMs, it was elegantly done as opposed to the triangle of doom everyone else seems to be following.
• The crystal gear was also a nice touch, especially the way it functioned.
• Family also did not like the experience much inside, as opposed to Benz or BMW, but I'd say it's a little more influenced by form over function.

Overall, I would probably have gone for this car if I had to drive only in the city or plains without much power needs and even then, would have gone for a used option instead of a new one simply because of how outdated it is at this point. The resale value would be abysmal as well.